School proceeding with drug tests

Posted: Tuesday, Jul 22nd, 2014BY JENNIFER SIMMONS Managing Editor

ROCHELLE — Rochelle Township High School officials are on track to developing a drug testing program for students participating in any extracurricular activities following a vote to proceed with putting a policy in place at Monday night’s board of education meeting.

Board members — minus Brent Tracy and Jeff Tilton — voted to proceed with getting a policy in place to randomly drug test students participating in extracurricular programs at the school.

“Mr. Crandall and I have been investigating the feasibility and legality of implementing a drug testing program for those students who participate in extracurricular activities,” superintendent Jamie Craven said. “It has come to our attention through multiple means that there has been an increase in drug use among teens including RTHS. Abused drugs mainly include marijuana, prescription drugs, amphetamines, and alcohol. We worked closely with District Attorney Mike Foley to develop a drug testing policy which meets all the standards currently established by Illinois Case Law and the Illinois School Code.”